Research

Articles, tools, and commentary on
climate services and solutions.
Highlights
Jun 04 2025
Mapping the efficiency of direct ocean removal
We developed a tool to explore a new dataset that makes it easier to see how the efficiency of direct ocean removal varies around the world.
Map toolExplainer articleDatasetComparison with OAE tool

Apr 23 2025
We’ve expanded our database of offset data with searchable project types and details about who is using offset credits.

Tools
DOR Efficiency
Mapping the efficiency of direct ocean removal.
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Articles
Aug 27 2025
Scaling enhanced weathering in limed fields
Both agricultural liming and enhanced weathering spread crushed rocks on fields and have the potential to remove carbon from the atmosphere. We explore how modifying liming for carbon removal works — and whether markets are the best way to fund it.
Both agricultural liming and enhanced weathering spread crushed rocks on fields and have the potential to remove carbon from the atmosphere. We explore how modifying liming for carbon removal works — and whether markets are the best way to fund it.
Jun 04 2025
Mapping the efficiency of direct ocean removal
We collaborated with [C]Worthy to build a tool that will make it easier to see where a marine carbon removal approach called direct ocean removal is most efficient.
We collaborated with [C]Worthy to build a tool that will make it easier to see where a marine carbon removal approach called direct ocean removal is most efficient.
Mar 03 2025
Stakeholder views on independent CDR protocol review
We conducted a stakeholder survey showing broad agreement that independent review of CDR protocols is needed. However, there appear to be diverse views on the desired scope and function of such a review.
We conducted a stakeholder survey showing broad agreement that independent review of CDR protocols is needed. However, there appear to be diverse views on the desired scope and function of such a review.
Nov 13 2024
Some carbon removal projects also result in avoided emissions. This is good for the climate, but can pose challenges for individual projects that are trying to earn carbon removal credits.
Some carbon removal projects also result in avoided emissions. This is good for the climate, but can pose challenges for individual projects that are trying to earn carbon removal credits.
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Commentary
Policy Briefs
Aug 21 2025
Policy Brief
Offsets are no free lunch
Offsets provide few climate benefits and cost California hundreds of millions of dollars each year. When lawmakers reauthorize the state’s cap and trade program this fall, they should eliminate the use of offsets.
Feb 25 2025
Policy Brief
“What is CDR?” is the wrong question
We summarize the ongoing debate around what “counts” as CDR, highlighting the trade-offs of each proposed definition. We suggest an alternative set of questions that can provide a more meaningful guide to making effective CDR investments.
Jul 03 2024
Policy Brief
The first offset credits approved by a major integrity program don’t make the grade
Initial results from the ICVCM assessment process highlight the challenges of reliably identifying high-quality offset credits.
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Comment Letters
Sep 17 2024
California Department of Insurance re: Proposed Text of Regulation of Catastrophe Modeling and Ratemaking
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Publications
Dec 01 2024
Global Change Biology
Increasingly active wildfire seasons threaten the sustainability of forest-backed carbon offset programs
In 2024, wildfires burned a record number of forests participating in California's forest offset program, exposing the danger of relying on forests to slow climate change.
Dec 23 2022
Nature Plants
Economic and biophysical limits to seaweed farming for climate change mitigation
A paper using coupled seaweed growth and technoeconomic models to better understand the potential role of seaweed farming for carbon removal and biomass products.
Sep 15 2023
One Earth
Carbon offsets are incompatible with the Paris Agreement
For carbon offsets to support temperature stabilization under the Paris Agreement, nearly everything about them must change.
Sep 12 2022
Global Change Biology
An ex post analysis shows that credited carbon sequestration in California projects is likely non-additional. These findings illustrate the importance of using dynamic baseline controls to credit carbon.
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